Hospital + Healthcare Operating Rooms Suppliers Guide 2023

OPERATING ROOMS

SUPPLIERS GUIDE 2023

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Welcome to the Operating Rooms Suppliers Guide 2023 edition of Hospital + Healthcare.

One in four hospitalisations, 2.7 million, in 2017–18 in Australia, involved surgery. An aging population, a rise in the number of chronic diseases and increased healthcare investment are set to lead to an increase in surgical interventions and procedures. Robotics, artificial intelligence, other technological advancements and growing human–machine interplay are transforming the operating room. These advancements offer many benefits including reduced hospital stays, improved precision and control, faster recovery, lesser pain, smaller incisions and reduced blood loss. However, they come at a cost.

According to research firm IBISWorld, technological advances have driven stronger spending across the public and private healthcare systems. “Redesigns of traditional implements and developments in microsurgery have increased the emphasis on manual dexterity and new surgical products,” the report said. The firm

predicts the medical and surgical equipment manufacturing industry to grow at an annualised 2.3% to $7.8 billion over the five years through 2027–28, with profit margins estimated to climb to 11.4%.

As the healthcare sector continues to embrace technological innovations in the operating room, with a degree of caution, to improve patient outcomes, we’re excited to bring you our inaugural Operating Room Suppliers Guide. This special issue features new products, insights and articles on the latest trends and a list of companies in the space — we hope it helps you make more informed and strategic buying decisions.

Mansi Gandhi

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Hospital + Healthcare

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The case for separation

The way specialists run their surgical operating lists is due for an overhaul, writes Jane Griffiths, CEO, Day Hospitals Australia.

The entire health system would benefit from specialists using day and short-stay hospitals for a higher proportion of their same-day procedures. Separating these procedures out from surgical lists, where appropriate, may require more planning from specialists and their teams, and changes to current practices, but will have significant benefits for the whole healthcare system — it would create the cost saving required to keep the public/private health system afloat.

For patients suitable for same day care, and where medically appropriate, these procedures should be provided in the day hospital sector at significantly lower cost, rather than slotting same-day procedures

in between major surgery at overnight hospitals.

For any given procedure, each private hospital is paid a different amount by private health insurers (PHIs) and other payers for providing the venue, staff and equipment. In general, for the same procedure, overnight hospitals receive a higher benefit than day hospitals, on average 40% more, partly because their higher rates compensate for their substantial overhead costs, including in some cases, intensive care and emergency departments.

This price differential means that PHIs are paying more for many procedures than

necessary when their members are admitted to a large/24-hour hospital for a same-day procedure. A larger 24-hour hospital is appropriate for patients who, due to their medical condition, need the backup services that such a hospital provides, or who, due to their location, have limited access to private healthcare facilities nearby.

Recent analysis undertaken by Day Hospitals Australia (DHA) has indicated possible overall savings of up to $508m a year with the top 32 DRGs performed on a same-day basis being provided in the day hospital sector. The data used in this analysis was the publicly available Hospital Case mix Protocol (HCP) and Private Hospital Data Bureau

(PHDB) data. DHA’s core suggestion is to cooperatively stream patients into the most cost-effective venue of care appropriate to each individual patient’s needs.

A day hospital is a licensed and accredited free-standing facility, physically separated from and not integrated with an overnight hospital, that admits patients for surgical and/ or medical treatment which is conducted in no more than a 23-hour period.

Given that most specialists practising in the private sector are credentialled at several private hospitals, they have some degree of choice in where to admit their patients. Specialists who choose to practise at day

facilities, instead of larger overnight hospitals, do so because of the availability of theatres and regular list times, high standards of care, no risk of their procedures being bumped, experienced staff and the ease of access for specialists to decision-makers at the hospital. One argument specialists or overnight hospital operators may have against using day hospitals is the relative lack of in-house facilities. Recent industry data demonstrates that admission to an overnight hospital following same-day treatment in a day hospital is extremely rare, and the percentage of unplanned or emergency patient transfers from a day hospital to an overnight hospital remains low at 0.07% of total admissions (QPS data August 2021).

The significant savings demonstrated by the analytical work undertaken by DHA need to be recognised by all stakeholders, in encouraging the use of day hospitals wherever it is clinically appropriate to do so. Specialists are encouraged to consider a day hospital that provides for quality, safe, efficient and cost-effective care for their patients when this is clinically appropriate. The ‘Improving the viability of the Australian healthcare system: the Day Hospitals Contribution’ can be made available to specialists seeking further information on this topic by emailing info@dayhospitalsaustralia.net.au.

Jane Griffiths, CEO, Day Hospitals Australia.

“One argument specialists or overnight hospital operators may have against using day hospitals is the relative lack of in-house facilities.”

The cosmetic surgery overhaul

In response to recent media reports of serious unprofessional conduct in cosmetic surgery, the health practitioner regulator and health ministers have announced significant changes.

Reports in the media demonstrated highly inappropriate conduct by some medical practitioners, a lack of skills in treatment of patients, a failure to provide adequate information regarding the success and risks of treatment and high costs charged to patients. The appropriateness of some advertising of cosmetic surgery was also questioned.

In response, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) commissioned the ‘Independent Review of the Regulation of Medical Practitioners who perform Cosmetic Surgery’. Ahpra and the MBA recognised that there were serious patient safety concerns, poor care and outcomes, and concerns regarding the advertising and promotion of cosmetic surgery in an inappropriate manner.

Health ministers also expressed concern and supported reforms in this growing and expensive area of health care.

The MBA announced new guidelines for doctors who perform cosmetic surgery, which will cover practices including breast augmentation, facelifts and liposuction, as well as non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as injectables, lifts and laser treatments. Patients seeking cosmetic surgery will need a referral from their GP. This will ensure that patients have access to a GP who can provide broad advice and review, and consider the individual medical history of the patient and perform a role as ‘gatekeeper’ before cosmetic surgery is finally considered by a patient.

The guidelines issued by the MBA also include increased standards for premises at which cosmetic surgery is undertaken, and improved requirements for patient assessment by medical practitioners, to ensure that any recommendations for cosmetic surgery are appropriate.

New guidelines will also apply to advertising of cosmetic surgery, including through social media. Already medical practitioners cannot advertise in a way that is false, misleading or deceptive, offering discounts inappropriately, using testimonials or giving an unreasonable expectation of the outcomes from treatment.

Advertising must also now include clear information about risks, and only use videos and images responsibly, not in a way that sexualises or includes gratuitous nudity. The use of negative body language is to be prohibited. Health ministers also announced that there would be a new registration standard for cosmetic surgery as an endorsement to registration. This would assist patients in knowing who is appropriately educated, trained and experienced to perform cosmetic surgery in a safe manner. The endorsement will appear as part of the public register maintained by Ahpra and indicate that a doctor has met the new cosmetic surgery standards to be set by the MBA and the Australian Medical Council.

The new accreditation standards for cosmetic surgery are being developed, and may be released shortly. This affects how a practitioner will obtain the endorsement, through appropriate education, training and experience.

It is noted that plastic surgeons, who can also undertake cosmetic surgery, are already appropriately qualified and accredited to do so, have achieved recognition through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), after undertaking a number of years of practice and training. The requirements of this endorsement are not intended to replicate those high standards of the RACS, but provide a more limited pathway to specifically approve endorsement for procedures for cosmetic surgery, but hopefully with a similarly appropriate and rigorous program of education, training and experience. No doubt there will be a significant review of the draft endorsement standards once they are finalised.

*Michael Gorton AM is an experienced commercial lawyer with a focus on the health sector. Through his association with peak industry bodies and his position on numerous boards, Gorton keeps abreast of developments in his area of practice and is often asked to address public and private companies and government and non-government organisations. Gorton was named in the 2021 edistion of Best Lawyers and as 2013 “Lawyer of the Year” for Health and Aged Care Law. He was also recognised by Best Lawyers in 2014–2023 for expertise in Health and Aged Care Law, Corporate/Governance Practice, and Non-Profit/Charities Law. For further information, please visit https://www.russellkennedy.com.au/.

Michael Gorton AM*, Principal, Russell Kennedy Lawyers

The rising burden of

severe acute pancreatitis

A new study calls for more targeted clinical research to find treatments aimed at reducing prolonged hospital stays and mortality in severe acute pancreatitis — a disease which is increasingly common.

Medical experts in Australasia have raised concern about the rising burden of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in intensive care units, with no change in mortality rates in these critically ill patients in almost two decades.

In some parts of the world, the severe form of the disease leads to death in up to 40% of cases. In high-income countries, the incidence of acute pancreatitis has been rising over the last 60 years, with mortality rates fluctuating between 6.9 million and 11.7 million persons per year. Only two in three people (67%) will survive within one year after a diagnosis of SAP that necessitates an admission to ICU, according to a 2022 study by the Dutch Pancreatitis Study Group.

In the absence of a specific cure for acute pancreatitis, the Flinders University and Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society (ANZICS) collaborative study has called for more targeted clinical research.

“While SAP patients in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand ICUs experience some of the lowest mortality rates in the world (12% in hospitals and 8% in ICUs), the unchanged mortality rates signal the need for us to investigate strategies to improve these outcomes,” said Monash University Professor David Pilcher, who leads the ANZICS Centre for Outcome and Resources Evaluation.

The new study, based on analysis of ANZICS clinical data from 12,635 SAP adult patients, covers three consecutive six-year time periods from 2003–2020.

No difference in adjusted hospital mortality and ICU mortality rates was noted, although the median length of hospital admission reduced slightly, from 13.9 days in 2003–08 to 13.1 days in 2009–14 and 12.5 days in 2015–20.

No difference in length of ICU stay was noted and the cost of managing SAP in Australian and New Zealand ICUs remained constant over the three time periods.

Lead author Flinders University Associate Professor S George Barreto, a Flinders Medical Centre surgeon, said the study reinforces the need to focus on developing strategies to more effectively predict the severity of the disease at admission, as well as the need for research into effective treatments to prevent the disease progressing from mild to the severe form that is characterised by persistent organ failure.

“It appears that by lowering the threshold to transfer patients with SAP in organ failure to ICU where their organ failure is best managed may be contributing to the comparatively better mortality rates noted in our study,” he said.

Associate Professor Barreto presented the findings of the study — which covers 98% of

Australian and 67% of Aotearoa New Zealand ICUs — at the recent Annual Scientific Congress of the Royal Australasian College of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. This research was supported by a Pankind grant to SG Barreto, and a Flinders Foundation and NHMRC Ideas Grant (GNT2021009).

Flinders University Associate Professor Savio George Barreto.

The impact and benefits of Unique Device Identification (UDI) for hospitals and patients

Catherine Koetz, Director — Healthcare, GS1 Australia

With new Unique Device Identifier (UDI) regulations pending in Australia, now is the time for health providers and hospitals to understand the benefits to their organisations and patients and to start to planning. Here are some points to start the process.

What are the potential benefits of UDI implementation?

The benefits are many but have dependencies on technical capability. For those organisations that are less digitally enabled and without a clinically integrated supply chain it may take longer to realise the benefits. Some known benefits:

• Improved patient safety and outcomes: Through more accurate and efficient tracking of medical devices and equipment used in patient care, reducing the risk of errors and adverse events.

• Traceability-enabled recall automation: By identifying and tracking devices through to the patient system-based processes can be used to speed up and more accurately manage recalls.

• Enhanced supply chain management: By providing consistent baseline identification of all medical devices inventory can be more effectively managed in real-time, knowing the location, status, and usage of medical devices. Reduction of waste, optimised ordering and restocking processes can be improved, leading to cost savings.

• Better data analytics and decisionmaking: The use of UDI can provide a rich source of data for analysis and decisionmaking not only within hospitals but also for the whole health system.

How will UDI implementation in Australia benefit patients in the future?

The changes that the implementation will bring within care settings will be mirrored in benefits for Australian patients and their care teams. The most immediate improvements to patient safety, greater accuracy of medical records and recalls management are obvious.

The flow of support for research and ongoing improvements to how care is provided and managed — including supporting ‘value based’ methodologies — is significant.

How can hospitals and health providers prepare, and maximise organisational and patient benefits?

Ahead of the release of regulations related to the UDI system, several actions would be recommended. The below are a start, as each organisation considers their digital maturity across the patient pathway and supply chains.

• Assess readiness: Hospitals should assess their readiness for implementing UDI within their processes by reviewing their existing technology solutions, supply chain management processes, clinical processes and staff training programs. This should identify areas that require improvement or significant changes and enable organisations to prioritise actions accordingly. Understanding the contact points between the supply chain and clinical processes.

• Engage with suppliers: Hospitals and health providers should engage with their suppliers to ensure that they are aware of the impending regulations and the need to move towards compliance with the UDI requirements for medical devices. The regulations will have different impacts and timeframes based on the type of device and risk. Ensuring alignment and inclusion in category management and sourcing discussions will help to drive early compliance and benefits.

• UDI implementation knowledge within core teams: Hospitals should ensure sufficient UDI knowledge within teams that are managing core programs related to the supply chain and any areas of clinical integration such as Electronic Patient Records.

• Develop implementation plans to embed within transformation programs: Many hospitals and health provider

organisations are already undertaking significant transformation projects related to inventory management, procure to pay, reimbursement and patient records. It is important within the organisation’s Project Management Offices a review of projects is completed to identify points where UDI changes will be relevant and then collaborate with teams. Any plans should include timelines and milestones, as well as risk management strategies. Projects that are impacted could include technology updates across organisations, barcode scanning deployment to ensure support for the global data standards, supply chain transformation programs, patient records, theatre management and staff training.

• Managing the change messaging: Ideally, any impact of UDI should be incorporated into training plans, versus requiring separate activities as this will ensure it is seen as part of how they work versus something else they have to do. Covering the purpose and benefits of the UDI system, how to capture UDI data using barcode scanning technology, and the use of UDI data to improve patient safety and supply chain management are simple messages that can be woven into existing plans.

Where should hospitals and health providers start their preparation?

Australian hospitals and health providers can take several actions to prepare, including assessing readiness, engaging with suppliers, establishing implementation teams, developing implementation plans, providing staff training, and monitoring compliance. By taking these actions they can ensure that they are well prepared to maximise the benefits for patient safety and business operations. We recommend organisations start by finding out more from the Therapeutical Goods Administration (TGA).

Email: udi@health.gov.au

» Learn more

Fluorescent guide can help detect tumour left behind after surgery

surgeons. Tumour specimens are often deformed after they have been excised, making it challenging to evaluate margin orientation, and the return of results can take several days.

The pFGS approach involves injecting pegulicianine, a fluorescent dye, prior to surgery. After surgeons remove the initial tumour specimen, they use a handheld probe to scan the lumpectomy cavity looking for additional tumour to remove. Image analysis software then displays any fluorescent signal on a screen, indicating remaining tumour tissue for removal.

All 406 patients involved in the trial were undergoing lumpectomy for stages 1 to 3 invasive breast cancer and/or ductal in situ carcinoma (considered the earliest form of breast cancer). Among patients who were randomised to receive pFGS, surgeons performed their standard lumpectomy and then removed additional tissue based on pFGS guidance.

In 27 of 357 patients (7.6%) who underwent pFGS, the technique detected tumour tissue that had been left behind by standard lumpectomy. In the 17% of patients who had positive margins after standard surgery, 9 of 62 had all margins cleared by pFGS, potentially avoiding a second surgical procedure. pFGS had few safety events — the rate of allergic reactions was low and similar to that of other commonly used imaging agents.

The team also assessed diagnostic performance of pFGS by measuring the percentage of margins with tumour that were pFGS positive (sensitivity) and the percentage of margins with no tumour that were pFGS negative (specificity). Sensitivity was 49.3% across all study margins and 58.6% for margins where direct histopathology comparison was available. Specificity was 85.2%.

“These results compare favourably with standard-of-care margin assessment,” Smith said.

Anew technique designed to allow surgeons to identify and remove residual tumour tissue during breast-conserving surgery is said to have shown promising results in a multi-centre trial led by investigators from the Mass General Cancer Center.

The clinical trial, involving 406 patients across 14 US sites, evaluated Lumicell’s investigational optical imaging agent pegulicianine in fluorescence-guided surgery (pFGS). In pFGS, pegulicianine is activated to a fluorescent form at sites of residual tumour, allowing surgeons to identify tumour remaining in the surgical site during breast cancer surgery.

Investigators found that pFGS enabled removal of residual tumour cells left behind by standard lumpectomy procedures or avoided second surgeries in 10% of study patients. The trial was funded in part by

Lumicell, Inc, and the results are published in NEJM Evidence.

“The goal of our research is to evaluate ways to improve the effectiveness of lumpectomy surgery, reduce the burden on patients and to help surgeons get to clean margins,” said corresponding author Barbara Smith, MD, PhD, the director of the Breast Program at Mass General Cancer Center (a member of Mass General Brigham) and head of the Breast Section in the Department of Surgery.

“In our study, this intervention had a favourable effect for 10% of the patients that we studied. By evaluating margins in real time, surgeons can remove additional tissue immediately.”

Traditionally, tumour margins are evaluated by pathologists after the tumour has been removed from the patient’s cavity by

The trial met prespecified thresholds for removal of residual tumour but did not meet its prespecified sensitivity rate, which may be due to the trial’s design, which did not include taking additional margin specimens when there were negative pFGS readings, said Massachusetts General Hospital in a statement. Smith and colleagues are involved in ongoing studies that will obtain additional margin tissue to calculate sensitivity more precisely. They will also look in greater detail at how effectively pFGS clears margins, comparing outcomes to standard surgery and rates of recurrence.

“Overall, we found that pFGS removed tumour missed by standard lumpectomy and reduced the need for second surgeries for positive margins,” Smith said. “Given its potential, pFGS merits evaluation in future trials and studies.”

Digital devices

could be controlled using thoughts

Australian researchers have invented an endovascular implant that could help people living with severe paralysis or neurological disorders to communicate.

The brain-computer interface system, the Synchron Switch, transmits data from the brain wirelessly to control external digital devices hands-free.

The neuroprosthesis device is implanted through the blood vessels in the brain without the need for open brain surgery and in December 2021, an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patient used the device to send a tweet using only their thoughts.

Drs Thomas Oxley and Nicholas Opie are finalists for the European Inventor Award in the ‘Non-EPO Countries’ category in recognition of their promising work. They were selected from over 600 candidates for this year’s edition.

The Synchron Switch, which is the size of a paperclip, is an endovascular brain implant designed to record or stimulate the brain or nerves from within the blood vessels, the natural highways of the brain. The device is

inserted into a blood vessel within the motor cortex, an area of the brain that controls sensory and motor activity. The device is designed to become incorporated into the wall of the blood vessel like a tattoo.

For the process to work and to achieve control of sophisticated technologies, Opie explained, “a device needs to be able to record brain signals from different parts of the motor cortex, interpret the signals and convert them into digital outputs that can be used to control assistive technology such as a robotic limb, computer, wheelchair or exoskeleton”.

As the Stentrode is inserted via the jugular vein, surgeons can reach the brain region via an endovascular approach, without the need to open a patient’s skull and perform invasive brain surgery. The average hospital stay for patients receiving the implant is just 48 hours.

Oxley is a vascular and interventional neurologist and an expert in brain–computer interfaces, and Opie is a biomedical engineer and expert in neural interfaces. Oxley and Opie’s collaboration led to the founding of Synchron in 2016, a company specialising in developing implantable neural interfaces for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Opie serves today as the CTO, while Oxley is the CEO.

The pair’s commitment to patients and combined expertise paved the way to the Stentrode. For the 14 million people worldwide living with neuromuscular disorders, Oxley and Opie’s invention could prove life-changing.

Synchron was approved by the FDA in 2021 to conduct human clinical trials for a permanently implantable brain–computer interface, which are underway. The first patients have already received implants, four people in Australia and three in the USA.

Even though the scientific advances of the invention are significant, Oxley highlights that the resilience of the human spirit and connection between people is paramount to the success of the treatment.

“The motivation of the patient and the relationship with our engineers is critical. Some of our engineers have formed really deep relationships with the patients and it’s been incredible.

“It’s inspiring for the team seeing how much energy these people who are going through the most traumatic period of their lives are putting into this program.”

Offering a world class range of theatre tables, surgical lighting technology, stainless steel furniture and customised accessories. You’ll get far more life out of our products.

www.hipac.com.au

Featured Products

Keep up with the latest industry innovations

Tablet and laptop

Getac has announced the launch of its next-generation UX10 tablet and V110 laptop, two powerful, fully rugged devices designed to meet the specific needs of emergency healthcare professionals in the field.

The devices are highly portable and are suited to a wide range of emergency medical contexts, from in-vehicle navigation and reporting to accessing electronic patient records remotely and aiding situational awareness.

Getac’s next-generation UX10 and V110 devices are also purpose-built to perform in year-round temperatures and weather conditions, offer consistent connectivity for critical communication and keep sensitive patient data secure.

The UX10’s lightweight design makes it easy to carry and operate for long periods, while its IP66 and MIL-STD-810H certifications, drop resistance up to 6′ and an operating range of -29 to +63°C provide optimal functionality in adverse weather conditions.

The V110 is a fully rugged laptop that makes performing complex medical tasks in the field easy. Its versatile form factor also means workers can quickly switch between touchscreen and keyboard-based inputs depending on the task at hand, such as viewing patient records or typing up incident reports, while its dual hot-swappable batteries offer long periods of uninterrupted operation.

The two devices are also covered by Getac’s three-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, including accidental damage as standard.

The UX10 and V110 rugged devices will be available in June 2023.

Getac Technology Corp

www.getac.com

Hand disinfectant

The Ecolab Healthcare ANZ Skinman Soft Protect is a broad spectrum alcohol surgical and hygienic hand rub suitable for use in clinical settings by healthcare personnel to ensure hand disinfection is in line with EN12791 and EN1500.

Lifting column

The LINAK LC1 lifting column is designed for use in medical applications and to provide users with a strong and precise choice of movement within the range of up to 4000 N.

The tailor-made LC1 lifting column brings robust and stable movement to medical solutions such as treatment chairs, dental chairs, medical couches, hospital beds and wheelchairs.

The LC1 lifting column is highly flexible and offers a wide choice of customisation options thanks to its range of height and performance capabilities.

The well-designed LINAK LC1 is a suitable lifting column in the medium end of medical applications. Features include: high speed up to 30.9 mm/s; push force: 4000 N and pull force: 2000 N; choice of profile; position feedback options; various stroke lengths; and flexible built-in dimensions.

The columns with a high-end finish and a smooth and cleaning-friendly surface are suitable for use in various floor applications. The high bending moment helps provide stable and reliable movement.

LINAK Australia Pty Ltd

www.linak.com.au

Skinman Soft Protect products feature a skinfriendly formulation carefully developed with ingredients for good skin compatibility: vitamin E, nourishing glycerine and regenerative panthenol.

Skinman Soft Protect is fast-acting with a reduced application time of 90 s for use as a surgical rub and 30 s as a hygienic hand rub. It is proven to improve skin tolerability and acceptability over time, across a range of skin-friendly criteria, using an established WHO protocol, according to Ecolab.

For surgical hand disinfection: all skin surfaces including subungual areas are to be clean and dry prior to commencing surgical rub; surgical hand disinfection is achieved by rubbing undiluted product onto both hands as necessary to keep wet for 90 s; at completion of rub allow hands to air dry thoroughly before donning sterile gloves; refer to ACORN guidelines and the Surgical Rub Technique for detailed protocol.

For hygienic hand disinfection: sufficient product must be applied to ensure complete coverage of hands, while maintaining coverage for 30 s and rubbing thoroughly until dry. Potential buyers must speak to an Ecolab healthcare manager for a product sample or product trial and visit the company website for further information.

Ecolab Pty Ltd www.ecolab.com

Getinge Digital Health Solutions Designed for OR flexibility

Connecting equipment, staff, and instrument data

Flexibility is non-existent without connected data flows - and the need to do more with less is truer than ever. For today’s ORs to handle more and varied cases, leveraging three key data points will help you design a resilient OR workspace: equipment, staff, and instruments.

Getinge’s Digital Health Solutions do just that in a seamless solution configured to your facility’s exact needs:

• OR management with Torin: Maximise resource utilisation and prioritise your schedule with intuitive digital planning.

• OR integration with Tegris: Achieve a more streamlined OR workspace with video, device, and data integration.

• Instrument management with T-DOC: Gain complete surgical asset traceability that promotes on-time instrument delivery for surgeries.

By connecting these traditionally siphoned data flows with intuitive digital solutions, you can focus on supporting better patient care and work conditions for your staff.

Featured Products

Composite sponges

The Multigate Fluro-Tec Composite sponges are designed to benefit both patients as well as the environment, encouraging a switch from cotton to this new range of sponges for improved clinical and environmental performance.

A life cycle assessment (LCA) performed by Lifecycles on Multigate’s abdominal sponge range identified an opportunity for a small change to create a big impact. This led to a phase-out of cotton sponges, with Multigate transitioning customers to FluroTec Composite.

Surgical logistics platform

SOx is designed to replace paper-based surgical workflows with a seamless online platform where all healthcare providers and suppliers can connect for streamlined ordering, scheduling, completion and billing of surgery.

The platform features advanced ecosystem and native barcode scanning, promoting greater productivity throughout the surgical logistics supply chain and billing process.

It also features automatic notifications and an intuitive dashboard for accurate status updates in the period leading up to surgery. From the booking of theatres to the creation of theatre lists and expected time of arrival of inbound stock, the platform simplifies communication between practices, hospitals and suppliers.

Surgical Order

www.surgicalorder.com

One of the benefits of switching to Fluro-Tec Composite sponges is the improved luminance contrast performance with the composite sponges being 9.5x more visible to the naked eye compared to a standard swab or sponge when soaked in blood. This has been independently verified under a control study by Ergonomie Pty Ltd. The Fluro-Tec Composite sponges are said to lead to reduce life cycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25% and reduce life cycle water usage by 44% based on End of Life (EOL) clinical waste disposal method 100% disinfect and landfill being used. Savings from using EOL 100% incineration are said to be 17% and 44%, respectively. The new sponges also provide a small improvement in absorbency. The EOL used is a mix of 50% disinfect & landfill, 50% incineration. This mix attempts to reflect varying clinical waste disposal methods used by different hospitals.

MULTIGATE Medical Products

www.multigate.com.au

Hygienic medical storage

In a hospital, practical and hygienic storage of medical items is critical to providing excellent patient care.

Flowsell provides customisable storage and shelving solutions that are designed for the unique needs of the healthcare industry. Flowsell storage solutions aim to make it easier to comply with regulations while reducing staff time spent managing medical storage.

The Flowsell Pull Out SlipShelf suits a wide range of applications throughout healthcare facilities. The gravity feed pullout shelves keep medical items organised, visible and easily accessible, ensuring correct stock rotation to help maintain high standards.

The open base design allows dust and contaminants to pass through, and the shelves are easy to clean to allow for infection and hygiene control.

The Flowsell Pull Out SlipShelf range is available in a variety of widths and depths to suit varying space and storage needs. They can be attached to wall stripping, gondolas, wall units and more.

Every SlipShelf is crafted with high-quality drawer runners to ensure continued smooth opening. SlipShelf shelving is also slotted for FastFit Dividers, which allow easy customisation of the storage area.

Flowsell

www.flowsell.com.au

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Featured Products

Height-adjustable sink

The IntraMed stainless steel height-adjustable sink is designed to meet the specific needs of central sterile service departments (CSSDs).

The electric sink unit runs on 240 V and measures 2200 x 670 x 950–1150 mm (W, D, H), making it a suitable size for any CSSD. It features two bowls, each measuring 600 x 450 x 220 mm, providing ample space for cleaning and sterilising. The rear splashback measures 300 mm and is located at the rear only, ensuring that any splashes or spills are contained.

The sink also features a wet edge bench, which prevents water from pooling and helps maintain a clean and hygienic environment. The bowls are positioned 300 mm from the left side with a 50 mm gap between them, providing ample space for staff to work comfortably.

The sink can be tailored to meet the specific requirements of any CSSD, making it a suitable solution to improve hygiene and cleanliness standards. Intraspace www.intraspace.com.au

Air purifier

INOVA Air Purifiers has been providing clean air solutions since 2003.

The INOVA range of medical-grade air purifiers is widely used in Australia’s leading hospitals and is suitable for a range of settings including staff areas, patient rooms, isolation areas, intensive care and emergency departments.

Designed for commercial applications, the INOVA-E300H is commonly utilised in negative pressure isolation rooms in clinical environments, primarily for the removal of aerosol-based viral and bacterial contaminants.

The INOVA-E300H model features a Technostat high-efficiency pre-filter and a high-capacity cylindrical H13-certified medical-grade HEPA filter.

The Technostat first stage prefilter is a tribo-electret media and has unique charged characteristics which allow the filtration of sub-micron particle sizes including bacteria and viruses.

Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) > 99.9992%*

Viral Filtration Efficiency (VFE) > 99.9970%*

*Tested in accordance to Spec MIL-M-36954C By Nelson Labs.

The pre-filter captures ultra-fine sub-micron particles including dust, bacteria and viruses before they reach the main H13 certified HEPA filter, enhancing filtration efficiency and extending life of the HEPA.

The INOVA-E300H air purifier features a plastic-free, chemical-free, aluminium powder-coated construction that allows for easy wipe-down and disinfection of external surfaces with any ethanol-based alcohol cleaning agent.

All INOVA air purifiers are Australian made, and each system is individually certified using a calibrated, Met One, ISO-compliant laser particle counter to meet or exceed the stated efficiency.

INOVA Air Purifiers www.inovaairpurifiers.com.au

Disinfectant wipes

The LOGIWIPE hospital-grade disinfectant wipes are suitable for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in healthcare facilities.

The disinfectant wipes can be used on porous and smooth surfaces and have been created to provide users with a quick and easy solution to disinfecting frequent touch points.

The wipes claim to kill 99.99% of germs, and are suitable for use in hospital, aged care and primary care settings. The wipes’ broad spectrum formula is said to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), Pseudomanas, Aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergilus brasiliensis and Salmonella choleraesuis.

Other features include: flip top pack; TGA approved; wipe size: 200 x 280 mm; and pack size: 200 wipes.

Medilogic medilogic.com.au

The merits of patient education in an age of complaints

While discussions with patients about the benefits, risks and range of treatments have become imperative due to many changes in healthcare consumerism and patients’ expectations, the principal driver of change has been the Australian High Court case of Rogers v Whitaker.

The key point in the 1992 judgment was:

“A doctor has a duty to warn a patient of a material risk inherent in a proposed treatment; a risk is material if, in the circumstances of the particular case, a reasonable person in the patient’s position, if warned of the risk, would be likely to attach significance to it, or if the medical practitioner is or should reasonably be aware that the particular patient, if warned of the risk, would be likely to attach significance to it.”

The High Court said that the “amount of information or advice which a careful and responsible doctor would disclose depended upon a complex of factors:

• the nature of the matter to be disclosed;

• the nature of the treatment;

• the desire of the patient for information;

• the temperament and health of the patient;

• the general surrounding circumstances.”

The High Court also noted that there are two tests when considering the need to inform a patient:

1. whether a reasonable person in the patient’s position would be likely to attach significance to the risk, and

2. whether the medical practitioner is, or should be reasonably, aware that the patient would be likely to attach significance to that risk.

As a consequence of the High Court’s judgment, it is the doctor’s responsibility to provide the patient with adequate and understandable information so that the patient can make an informed decision about whether or not to undergo treatment.

The circumstances of Rogers v Whitaker were singular and interesting. A surgeon appealed to the High Court over an award against him by a patient who had suffered a devastating complication that had a risk of 1 in 14,000 cases. The patient was convincing in her claim that she would not have had the procedure had she known of the risk. The patient was successful on one claim of negligence, which was a “failure to warn”. The High Court dismissed the surgeon’s appeal.

To read the case of Rogers v Whitaker and the similar case of Chappel v Hart, and related commentary (by Dr Paul Nisselle), go to: www. mitec.com.au/medicolegal

Or to retrieve the case on the High Court website, go to:

https://eresources.hcourt.gov.au/ showbyHandle/1/8847

To assist the informed consent process prior to the diagnostic or surgical procedure, the use of a patient education pamphlet can be helpful. After the patient has had the opportunity to carefully read the pamphlet, a follow-up consultation may be important, depending on the patient, the patient’s general health and circumstances of the case. This follow-up can be valuable to ascertain the patient’s understanding and whether the patient has uncertainties that need to be discussed. In some cases, a third visit may be warranted.

While this process of assisting the patient to better understand the proposed treatment and related matters may take extra time, hopefully it will avoid problems and complaints if a complication does occur.

Mi-tec Medical Publishing provides a wide range of patient education pamphlets, both as hard copy and online, for 20 colleges, societies and associations in Australia and New Zealand. All patient education has been reviewed by experts and specialists in their field.

“Your patient information brochures are essential to my practice as there have been times when I had to rely on them for legal reasons.” — Australian surgeon, 31 January 2023.

»

To view the full range of patient education available, visit: www.mitec.com.au

For enquiries, call us on +61 3 9888 6262 or email: admin@mitec.com.au

Featured Products

Air compressor

Air compressor manufacturer

ELGi Equipments has enhanced the energy efficiency of its AB series oilfree screw air compressors realising improvements in specific power consumption and increases in free air delivery across the range. For additional energy savings, the three larger models in the range now include a super-premium efficiency IE4 motor as standard.

Contaminant-free and high-quality compressed air is critical for many sensitive applications in the hospital and healthcare sector. Available from 11 to 110 kW, the water injected AB ‘Always Better’ series of oil-free screw air compressors from ELGi deliver certified ‘Class 0’ high-quality air in compliance with ISO 8573-1 and ISO 8573-7.

ELGi has recently enhanced the performance of the AB series models, delivering improvements in terms of both specific power consumption and free air delivery. This includes a reported average 10% improvement on the turndown ratio across the variable frequency drive (VFD) range. The result of these improvements is enhanced energy efficiency and reduced power consumption.

In addition, the 75 to 110 kW models are the first in the series to come as standard with super-premium efficiency IE4 motors. These motors deliver further energy efficiency and reliability gains as well as a higher service factor and lower waste heat output.

The energy-efficient AB series is designed to produce high-quality air, free of microbiological contaminants, with free air delivery (FAD) from 0.82 to 15.85 m3/min.

Surgical handrub

Bactol 90% Alcohol Surgical handrub is a fast-acting antiseptic hand rub for surgical-grade hand disinfection from Whiteley.

Bactol 90 antiseptic hand rub is formulated for all surgical-grade hand disinfection purposes. To balance the fortified strength, Bactol 90 is enriched with added emollient to keep skin feeling soft and refreshed.

Tough on germs but gentle on skin, Bactol 90% Surgical handrub features a 60 s application time to reduce prep time and allow more time focused on patient care. Available in 500 mL and 1 L pods for use in Whiteley automated hand hygiene dispensers.

Elgi

Equipments Ltd www.elgi.com.au

Scrubs

WonderWink’s WonderWORK collection comes in a variety of colours, fits and styles, including maternity, women’s and men’s uniforms, and is designed with long-lasting comfort in mind.

These scrubs feature an active twill fabric with an aim to provide comfort with a 360-degree motion stretch. The Active Twill fabric is constructed using finer, more durable yarns for a beautiful drape. This allows the scrub to stay professional looking while giving wearers freedom to move comfortably throughout their shift.

WonderWink offers nursing scrubs for individuals as well as medical uniforms for groups/ departments.

Infectious Clothing Company Pty LTD

www.infectious.com.au

PPE station

Register for a free trial here: https:// www.whiteley.com.au/bactolproduct-range.

Whiteley www.whiteley.com.au

The Sterri-Matt Mobile PPE Station is a versatile and universal stand for use with the PPE consumables organisers.

Designed in Australia, the stand is adjustable, allowing users to select from a wide range of PPE stations and clip-on accessories — users can have the mobile station as single-sided or double-sided, and with extra baskets, among other options.

The equipment is engineered to be stable and contain all the PPE consumables required within a healthcare setting. New to the range is the CytoToxic version which comes in a Cyto Purple colour and features extras such as a waste bin and space for a sharps container. The ‘Donning & Doffing Station’ is designed to provide better compliance and reduce wastage, and can be wall-mounted, door-hung or clipped to the Sterri-Matt Mobile Station.

Sterri-Matt Pty Ltd

www.sterrimatt.com

Featured Products

Procedure packs

As part of a commitment to better product stewardship, all Multigate Procedure Packs sold to Australian customers from 1 July 2022 are supplied as climate neutral.

The company aims to minimise its carbon emissions and environmental footprint while delivering costeffective, high-quality products to clinicians.

Environmental considerations form a central part of the strategy at climate neutral company Multigate, as they take action to reduce the impact of business operations, products and services.

Climate change impact is reportedly monitored by independent third-party environmental specialists who measure and verify the impact of Multigate products. This impact is offset by carbon credits in approved projects that help to tackle climate change. The goal is to find ongoing, sustainable ways to reduce the impact of the products and services provided.

Multigate uses a Small Change Big Impact framework, lifecycle assessment (LCA) modelling, plus design and sourcing capabilities to target reduction opportunities aimed at driving down the embodied carbon in Procedure Packs.

MULTIGATE Medical Products www.multigate.com.au

Digital visualisation microscope

The ARveo 8 digital visualisation microscope unites information from AR fluorescence and IGS systems feeds, with an aim to provide enhanced visualisation for informed and precise neurosurgery.

Leica Microsystems’ EnhancePath concept for future upgradeability and system compatibility of the ARveo 8 provides a way to evolve into the digital future of neurosurgery.

Features and benefits include: fast processing and an intuitive graphical user interface; enhanced visualisation by adding layers of information to the microscope image, allowing neurosurgeons to obtain more information while operating on a patient; and the ability to combine optics, pre- and intraoperative imaging and augmented reality fluorescence.

The GLOW augmented reality (AR) ecosystem results in a fully synchronised, real-time, augmented view of the surgical field, while the GLOW800 AR fluorescence and ICG enable users to observe cerebral anatomy in natural colour, augmented by realtime vascular flow, with full depth perception. When combined with ICG, GLOW800 AR fluorescence allows users to observe cerebral anatomy and blood flow in white light.

The fluorescence module FL400 is used during open neurosurgery in conjunction with the active substance 5 aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). It supports resection by allowing differentiation of tumour tissue from healthy brain tissue.

Leica Microsystems Pty Ltd www.leica-microsystems.com

Air compressors

The BOGE Oil Free Scroll Compressors are compact, and have quiet and low vibration level for medical air.

The EO series compressors are particularly recommended for sensitive applications in which oil-free air and unobtrusive operation are essential. Smart control allows scroll airends to be switched on or off as required. Efficiency is further improved with a two-stage aftercooler.

Other features and benefits include: super-silenced whisper-quiet design, modular, space-saving, state-of-the-art control concept, low maintenance and installation close to a workstation.

Boge Compressors Ltd www.boge.net.au

Immunotherapy

for inoperable children’s brain cancer

Children with an inoperable type of brain cancer may benefit from an advanced immunotherapy treatment, according to new research.

Usually occurring in children aged five to seven years old, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is an aggressive type of brain tumour that affects 20 children in Australia each year.

The fast-growing tumour forms in the part of a child’s brain responsible for vital functions like breathing, swallowing and movement, meaning it is unable to be surgically removed. Children diagnosed with DIPG are unlikely to survive a year beyond diagnosis and there is currently no treatment for this devastating condition.

Researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) have found promise in treating DIPG with an innovative new immunotherapy treatment, called CAR T therapy.

Published in Neuro-Oncology Advances, the research showed CAR T therapy was effective at targeting DIPG tumours.

CAR T cell therapy involves isolating a patient’s immune cells, engineering them to become ‘super killer cells’ and then re-infusing them into the patient to fight their cancer.

The research, led by Associate Professor Misty Jenkins, Laboratory Head at WEHI

and The Brain Cancer Centre, showed in preclinical models these specifically engineered CAR T cells were able to enter the brain and have an anti-cancer effect by reducing the tumour burden.

“Unlike radiation, which is a blunt instrument that kills cancerous as well as healthy brain tissue, CAR T cell therapy uses a patient’s own immune cells and engineers them to recognise and kill the tumour,” she said.

“CAR T cells offer a possibility of cure, with no long-term side effects.

“These genetically modified white blood cells act as a ‘living drug’, which means the patient will retain a living memory in their body of the anti-tumour response that may also work to kill the tumour again if it ever returns.

“The way these cells can completely eliminate the tumours and persist in the body into the future is what is so exciting about CAR T cell therapy, and why immunotherapy is the future of precision medicine.”

The study found DIPG brain tumours can be targeted using CAR T cells that recognise a cancer-specific protein called HER2. Once in the brain, the CAR T cells recognised this protein and signalled the T cells to kill the tumour cells.

Associate Professor Jenkins said the use of CAR T cell therapy had effectively eliminated the DIPG tumours in the study’s preclinical models.

“This paper shows that an approach to HER2 does work, and we hope to see this treatment incorporated into current and future clinical trials available to children in Australia,” she said.

“While there are no long-term studies yet, this research builds on other work that has shown this treatment to be effective in reducing DIPG tumours and improving the quality of life for these patients, who currently have no treatment options.

“Our hope is that this treatment will be included in future clinical trials and will eventually be used in combination with other drugs to treat DIPG.”

The research was a promising step forward in treating DIPG, Associate Professor Jenkins said.

“This lays the groundwork for us to interrogate thousands of potential therapies for anticancer immune cells to fight DIPG,” she said.

“Other studies have demonstrated this treatment approach is safe in children, so we are hopeful it won’t be long before it is clinically available.”

The research was made possible in part by funding from the Victorian Paediatric Cancer Consortium, Isabella & Marcus Foundation, Robert Connor Dawes Foundation and The Brain Cancer Centre.

Ampcontrol

ampcontrolgroup.com/

Ampcontrol is a privately wned electrical engineering company involved in advanced global manufacturing of award-winning innovations, products, solutions and service to the resources, infrastructure and energy sectors.

AMT Group Australasia

www.amtintlgroup.com.au/

AMT Group Australasia provides a full range of products to service operating theatres, central sterile supply departments (CSSDs), endoscopy and pharmaceutical organisations. The company’s core products are geared towards operator safety, patient safety and samples from airborne and surface contaminants. AMT is NATA accredited to test and validate operating theatres.

ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems

www.assaabloyentrance.com.au

The ASSA ABLOY Group is a global provider of access solutions. ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems provides solutions for efficient and safe flow of goods and people. The offering includes a wide range of automated pedestrian, industrial and residential doors, loading dock equipment and services.

Biosafety International

www.biosafety.com.au/home

Biosafety International provides high-level biological safety consulting, HVAC and services to various controlled environments, including the healthcare and scientific sectors. The company specialises in contamination control, biological safety consulting and decontamination services with over 20 years of qualified experience.

Blue Mirror

www.bluemirror.ai

Blue Mirror is a virtual PPE trainer on a tablet/device. It teaches end users PPE donning and doffing with real-time corrective actions and audio/visual guides. Users have access to a fun, interactive training experience that is easy to implement, audit and scale across your entire organisation.

Condair Pty Ltd

www.condair.com.au/

Condair is a manufacturer of commercial and industrial humidification and evaporative cooling products and systems. The company’s energy-efficient, hygienic solutions incorporate innovative features to deliver high performance and minimise maintenance.

Coregas

www.coregas.com.au

Coregas is a provider of industrial, medical and specialty gases in Australia and New Zealand. With over 45 years of experience, the company offers a comprehensive range of gas solutions to a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, health care, hospitality and more.

Defries Industries

www.defries.com.au

Defries Industries is an Australianowned company that designs, develops and supplies quality singleuse medical and surgical products. Specialties include procedure packs, surgical drapes, clinical protective apparel, theatre consumables, disposable bowls, wound care and surgical dressings.

Detmold Medical

www.detmoldmedical.com

Detmold Medical manufactures highquality PPE for the healthcare sector,

leveraging expertise, global networks and systems from the Detmold Group. The company’s Australianmade masks were designed in collaboration with industry experts and are certified to all relevant standards.

ELGi Equipments

www.elgi.com.au

ELGi Equipments is an air compressor manufacturer with an extensive range of oil-free rotary screw compressors. Suitable for hospital applications, they deliver compressed air free of contamination and particles, providing Class ‘0’ oilfree air as per ISO: 8573-1.

Essity

Essity is a global hygiene and health company with renowned brands including Leukoplast, Cutimed, JOBST, Actimove and Delta-Cast. Essity’s range of post-surgical wound dressings from Leukoplast can help minimise the risk of surgical site infections (SSI) and protect your surgical results from surgical site complications. The company’s Tork product range is designed to help users improve hygiene standards and cleaning efficiency, and maintain infection prevention and hygiene compliance within the hospital.

Eucalip Bio-Chemical Group Pty Ltd

http://www.eucalip.com

Eucalip has been supplying economical, effective hard surface infection control products to Australian and overseas markets for 30 years. Formed and incorporated

in 1986 in Victoria, Australia, Eucalip Bio-Chemical Group continues to manufacture and distribute a wide range of bio-chemical products.

Flowsell

www.flowsell.com.au

Flowsell is an Australian leading supplier of hospital storage equipment and storage shelving. With two decades of experience in the industry, the company supplies solutions that meet industry requirements in an efficient manner.

Getinge Australia Pty Ltd

www.getinge.com/anz

With a firm belief that saving lives is the greatest job in the world, Getinge provides hospitals with products and solutions aiming to improve clinical results and optimise workflows. The offering includes products and solutions for intensive care, cardiovascular procedures, operating rooms and sterile reprocessing.

GripSox

www.gripsox.com

GripSox is a leading player in falls prevention through its non-slip safety socks. Designed by Australian physio Luke Goodwin, GripSox assist hospitals to reduce their falls rates. REDuce Falls Sox highlight those at risk of falls, whilst GripSox Stretch

Top socks add comfort for patients with oedema.

Hills Health

www.hillshealthsolutions.com.au

Hills Health provides innovative care solutions across the care journey from reliable IP-based nurse call, personalised patient engagement systems such as the innovative GetWell network. As well as Extensia,

the community shared record platform that connects individuals, their family and clinicians with the information they need.

Hipac Healthcare

www.hipac.com.au/

Hipac manufactures and distributes solutions for operating theatres and mental health facilities. The company’s unique range of products and services empowers healthcare professionals to excel and deliver the best possible outcome for their patients.

HPA hpaust.com

HPA provides solutions that support medical staff to save and enhance lives. HPA works as part of the client’s team to advise, supply and manage all the equipment needed to care for patients — ICT and carts, patient monitoring and life support, surgical solutions and infrastructure.

Humanetix

www.humanetix.com.au/

Humanetix is a health tech company that has received funding from the Department of Health. The company’s globally patented intelligent clinical care delivery platform has added value to the Australian healthcare market, providing clinical management and systems that enhance efficiency and improve patient care.

INOVA Air Purifiers

inovaairpurifiers.com.au

INOVA Air Purifiers is committed to improving indoor air quality with state-of-the-art air-purification

systems that provide necessary protection from the risk of harmful airborne particles. The company’s air purifiers for clinical environments, including hospitals, healthcare facilities, waiting rooms and dental practices, are specifically designed to remove aerosol-based viral and bacterial contaminants. These air purifiers don’t compromise when it comes to delivering safe, clean air for staff and patients alike.

Individual certification of each system through the use of a calibrated, Met One, ISO-compliant laser particle counter ensures they meet or exceed the stated efficiency.

Interworld Electronics

www.ieci.com.au

Founded in 1989, Interworld Electronics offers a wide range of industrial PC solutions, including an extensive range of medical keyboards and pointing devices. The company has experience to be able to provide customers with quality products and expert advice in an ever-evolving industry.

IntraSpace

www.intraspace.com.au

IntraSpace is a provider of healthcare and education storage solutions. The company provides furniture and storage fit-outs for the health, education and government sectors.

ISSA International Sanitary Supply Association

issacleaninghygieneexpo.com

The International Sanitary Supply Association is a trade association for the cleaning industry worldwide

The ISSA CLEANING & HYGIENE EXPO is a dedicated cleaning and hygiene event that will be held from 1–2 November 2023 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

Kaeser Compressors Australia Pty Ltd

au.kaeser.com

Kaeser Compressors offers a comprehensive selection of compressed air system products that remain proudly manufactured in Germany, including oil-free rotary screw compressors, Mobilair portable compressors, vacuum packages, filters and related products.

MEDELEQ PTY LTD

http://www.medeleq.com.au

Medeleq Pty Ltd supplies medical equipment to the healthcare sector in Australia. The company’s products include the VacSax Antimicrobial Disposable Suction Liner system, patient monitoring, suction units, wire baskets and shelving, stainless steel trolleys, modular carts and Cherokee uniforms. All products have TGA and the company holds QA status.

Medifit Design & Construct

medifit.com.au

Over the past 21 years, Medifit has designed and built over 700 healthcare facilities throughout Australia including day hospitals. Medifit operates exclusively in the healthcare space in all major cities including regional areas.

Medilogic

medilogic.com.au

Medilogic is dedicated to bringing the most advanced medical technologies from across the globe into the hands of medical professionals. Medilogic partners closely with hundreds of leading manufacturers and supply partners, enabling the company to provide an efficient and competitive medical supplies solution.

Mi-tec Medical Publishing

www.mitec.com.au

Mi-tec Medical Publishing produces high-quality, peer-reviewed patient education pamphlets for 21 medical colleges, societies and associations in Australia and New Zealand. The objectives of the pamphlets is to reduce medico-legal risk by assisting the informed consent process and improving doctor-patient communication.

Mun Australia Pty Ltd

munglobal.com.au

Focused on delivery of highquality care for all, Mun is the global platform for premium healthcare consumer brands and personal protective products across many markets.

Nanosonics

www.nanosonics.com.au

Nanosonics is an Australian infection prevention company that has successfully developed and commercialised a unique automated disinfection technology, the trophon device. The development is said to represent a major innovation in “high-level disinfection for ultrasound probes”.

NHP Electrical Engineering Products

https://nhp.com.au

NHP is an Australian-owned company specialising in electrical products and services. From smart panel boards and electrical safety products, to emergency and exit lighting and transfer switches with a

‘bypass’ function, the products are designed to ensure the continuity of a hospital’s power supply during maintenance and test operations.

PENTAX Medical ANZ

www.pentaxmedical.com

PENTAX Medical is a division of HOYA Group delivering endoscopyimaging solutions. Established in 1919 in Japan, PENTAX Medical is a globally diversified company providing advanced clinically relevant endo-imaging solutions

Personify Care

personifycare.com

Personify Care believes people deserve the best possible care, even when they are not in the hospital or clinic. The company provides software that helps staff at hospitals and surgical centres map their pre-admission and post-op patient pathways so that nursing staff can seamlessly screen pre-admission risks and track post-discharge recovery without manually processing paper forms or making time-consuming phone calls.

Price Holyoake

www.holyoake.com

Price Holyoake’s critical environments range of products are innovative, quality contaminant removal goods that, along with good service and support, make Holyoake by Price a suitable choice for healthcare air distribution applications.

RFID Discovery

www.rfiddiscovery.com

RFID Discovery, part of global identification solutions provider Paragon ID, provides tracking solutions to a range of sectors including health care, logistics and mining using a variety of tracking technologies including active and passive RFID, BLE, Wi-Fi, LoRa, UWB, GPS and more.

The company’s tracking solutions allow hospital and healthcare staff to identify, locate, authenticate and engage with each healthcare item to deliver optimal patient care while also reducing costs. The solutions are designed to help users quickly and securely streamline identification, care history, equipment management (including inventory and maintenance), and traceability of blood bags, organs, samples and many more.

Rubbermaid Commercial Products

www.rubbermaidcommercial. com.au

Rubbermaid Commercial Products provides products and solutions for managing waste, cleaning and hygiene needs across a range of industries including hospitals and aged care. The company has pioneered technologies and system solutions in the categories of cleaning, waste handling, material transport, food services, sanitary maintenance and safety products.

Steri-7 Pty Ltd

www.steri-7.com.au

Steri-7, a privately owned and run Australian company, is the exclusive distributor of Steri-7 products in the region. The company is aimed at providing practical solutions for maintaining clean and hygienic conditions to ensure the safety and protection of people in a range of industries including health care, dental and aged care.

All the company’s products are made in TGA approved and fully ISO accredited facilities with QA testing for efficacy on each product with an aim to ensure high standards of quality and performance.

STERIS Australia

www.steris.com

STERIS is a global provider of products and services that support

patient care with an emphasis on infection prevention. The company’s offerings, ranging from surgical equipment, OR technology and procedural surgical instruments and repair services, provide users the freedom to focus on what they do best — care for patients.

Sterri-Matt Pty Ltd

www.sterrimatt.com

Sterri-Matt is an Australian company specialising in developing unique and innovative solutions for infection control in the healthcare industry.

The Sterri branded products bring a fresh approach to sanitising and outbreak control to industry sectors such as hospitals, aged care and more. The products are designed to address many issues

in cleaning and sanitising hospital/ aged care mattresses and provide a fast and efficient clean with less impact to patients and also help ensure the mattress liners are not damaged. Sterri-Matt PPE Stations designed in Australia are claimed to be largest PPE station range with the mobile PPE Station suitable for donning/doffing and helping achieve compliance.

Whiteley

www.whiteley.com.au

Whiteley is a global innovator in medical infection prevention and professional hygiene solutions. ‘‘Best practice” are two words the Whiteley organisation takes seriously. Because in the field of cleaning and infection control, best practice saves lives and livelihoods. And given how pathogens spread and mutate so easily, improving infection prevention processes has never been more important.

Abdominoplasty

– Mi-tec Medical Publishing

Ablation systems

– Coregas

ABP monitoring device – Getinge Australia Pty Ltd

AED defibrillator

– HPA

– Medilogic

Anesthesia machine – Getinge Australia Pty Ltd

HPA

Blood gas analyser

Coregas

Blood glucose monitor – Medilogic

Blood pressure cuff

Medilogic

Cannula – Coregas

Medilogic

Chairs

IntraSpace – Medilogic

Cleaning

AMT Group Australasia – Biosafety International

Eucalip Bio-Chemical Group Pty Ltd

Getinge Australia Pty Ltd

– ISSA International Sanitary Supply Association

Medilogic – Nanosonics – Price Holyoake

Rubbermaid Commercial Products

Whiteley

Couches – Medilogic

Cutting and dissecting

Medilogic

Dental air compressor

Kaeser Compressors Australia Pty Ltd

Dental instruments

Defries Industries

Dental light

Hipac Healthcare

Price Holyoake

Dental suction unit – MEDELEQ PTY LTD

Detergent – Getinge Australia Pty Ltd

– ISSA International Sanitary Supply Association

– Medilogic – Sterri-Matt Pty Ltd

– Whiteley

Dilators – Medilogic

Disinfectant – AMT Group Australasia

– Biosafety International

Eucalip Bio-Chemical Group Pty Ltd

– ISSA International Sanitary Supply Association

– Medilogic

Nanosonics

– Steri-7 Pty Ltd

Sterri-Matt Pty Ltd

– Whiteley

Disposables

Hipac Healthcare

– HPA

Medilogic

– Rubbermaid Commercial Products

Steri-7 Pty Ltd

– STERIS Australia

Ear syringes

Medilogic

ECG cables

– Medilogic

ECG paper – Medilogic

Electrodes – Medilogic

Electrosurgical hardware

– Medilogic

Electrosurgical instruments

– Medilogic

Electrosurgical solutions

– Medilogic

Energy systems

– Ampcontrol – Condair Pty Ltd

Furniture

– Hipac Healthcare – HPA – IntraSpace

MEDELEQ PTY LTD

– Medilogic

Gel and gel sheets – Hipac Healthcare

Hemostatic instruments

– Medilogic

Hooks and probes

– Medilogic

Hoses and syringes

Medilogic

Infection control

AMT Group Australasia

ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems

Biosafety International

Blue Mirror

Essity – Eucalip Bio-Chemical Group Pty Ltd

– Getinge Australia Pty Ltd

– ISSA International Sanitary Supply Association

– Medilogic

– Mi-tec Medical Publishing

– Nanosonics

– Price Holyoake – Rubbermaid Commercial Products

Steri-7 Pty Ltd – Sterri-Matt Pty Ltd

Whiteley

IV solutions – Medilogic

Knives – Medilogic

Lamps, headlight and loupe

– Hipac Healthcare

– Medilogic

Lights

Getinge Australia Pty Ltd

Hipac Healthcare

HPA

– Medilogic – Price Holyoake – STERIS Australia

Medical plastic – Medilogic

Monitoring

AMT Group Australasia

Getinge Australia Pty Ltd

HPA

MEDELEQ PTY LTD

Medilogic – Price Holyoake

Needles and needle holders

Defries Industries

Medilogic

Plaster instruments – Medilogic

PPE

– Blue Mirror – Defries Industries – Detmold Medical

Medilogic

Mun Australia Pty Ltd

Price Holyoake

Rubbermaid Commercial Products

Sterri-Matt Pty Ltd

Recovery room equipment – Coregas

MEDELEQ PTY LTD

Medilogic

Price Holyoake

Retractors – Defries Industries – Medilogic

Rhinoplasty

Medilogic

Mi-tec Medical Publishing

Robotic systems and equipment

Getinge Australia Pty Ltd

Smoke evacuation systems – Medilogic

Price Holyoake

Specialty equipment – AMT Group Australasia – Condair Pty Ltd

Coregas

Hipac Healthcare

Medilogic

Nanosonics

PENTAX Medical ANZ

– Price Holyoake

– STERIS Australia

Sphygmomanometer

MEDELEQ PTY LTD

– Medilogic

Staplers and clips

Medilogic

Sterilisers

AMT Group Australasia

Getinge Australia Pty Ltd

ISSA International Sanitary Supply Association

Medilogic

Stools

Medilogic

Stress testing equipment

Medilogic

Suction – Coregas

MEDELEQ PTY LTD

Medilogic

Tables

Getinge Australia Pty Ltd

– Hipac Healthcare

HPA

Medilogic

STERIS Australia

Trays and racks

Hipac Healthcare

IntraSpace

Medilogic

Sterri-Matt Pty Ltd

Trolleys

AMT Group Australasia

Coregas – Getinge Australia Pty Ltd – Hipac Healthcare – HPA

IntraSpace

MEDELEQ PTY LTD

Medilogic

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Trial to test drugs to reduce post-surgical complications

A Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH)-led trial is set to explore whether a newer muscle relaxant reversal drug can help reduce the number of post-surgical lung complications.

To be known as the SNaPP Study (Sugammadex, Neostigmine and Postoperative Pulmonary complications), the project has received $2.9 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), said the RMH in a statement.

The 3500-patient randomised controlled trial will be run over four years by researchers from the RMH and the University of Melbourne, as well as the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Clinical Trials Network (CTN).

The study’s Principal Investigator, the RMH anaesthetist Professor Kate Leslie AO, said the goal of the study is to reduce the burden of these complications.

“These complications lead to prolonged illness and decreased quality of life for

patients and increased costs for the healthcare system,” she said.

“Our team has a long history of successfully completing large perioperative trials and with the SNaPP Study we will once again join forces with investigators and trial coordinators in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong to answer one of the most hotly debated questions in our specialty.”

The SNaPP Study will recruit adult patients presenting for abdominal or thoracic surgery. They will receive a general anaesthetic for their surgery that includes muscle relaxant drugs.

At the end of their surgery, they will receive either neostigmine (the traditional drug) or sugammadex (a new drug which is more reliable but also more expensive) to reverse the muscle relaxant. The patients will be

followed up for lung complications (eg, pneumonia) and quality of life, the RMH said.

This information, along with health expenditure data, will be used to determine if sugammadex is cost-effective. The results of this study will have immediate benefits for patients and the healthcare system.

Image credit: RMH